Pieta House’s Darkness into Light event with Electric Ireland is back and going international

Growing expat communities in London and Sydney get involved to support Irish suicide prevention charity

London and Sydney will host Darkness into Light events this year as Pieta House’s flagship fundraiser held in association with Electric Ireland goes international for the first time. RTÉ TV presenters Sinead Kennedy and London-based Eoghan McDermott this week launched the national suicide prevention charity’s annual event which is now in its sixth year.

Taking place on Saturday, 10th of May, Darkness into Light is a unique, early morning experience which begins in darkness at 4.15am as thousands of people walk or run a 5km route while dawn is breaking. The early dawn represents hope and is symbolic of the work of Pieta House; bringing people from darkness back into the light.

Joan Freeman CEO of Pieta House and Sinead Kennedy RTE

Speaking at the launch in The Little Museum of Dublin, Joan Freeman, CEO and founder of Pieta House said: “Darkness into Light is an incredible experience and one that people remember for a long, long time. There’s already huge anticipation and with so many new locations involved for 2014 it’s going from strength to strength. We’re tying this year’s event in with our Mind Our Men campaign that aims to reduce male suicide in Ireland, so I want to ask everyone to bring a male friend or family member with them. We’re making a big push this year to get all the men out – it means an early rise but they won’t regret it.”

Darkness into Light 2013 attracted 40,000 participants in 20 locations around Ireland. With this year’s event taking place in 39 locations, Pieta House is hoping for a near doubling of last year’s turnout.

“Electric Ireland is delighted to support Pieta House’s Darkness into Light event for the second year,” said Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland. “Last year, more than 40% of Electric Ireland staff took part.We hope our energy in promoting this initiative will motivate more and more people in communities around the country to get involved. Pieta House has really captured the heart of the nation by demonstrating support and empathy for people affected by suicide. Electric Ireland is happy to play its part in supporting them,” he said.

Darkness into Light is the most vital component of Pieta House’s fundraising calendar. As demand for the service continues to grow and with more than 80% of Pieta House’s income depending on public donations, funds raised during Darkness into Light are essential for Pieta House to continue to provide a free service for the increasing numbers seeking help. Proceeds from last year’s event helped to fund Pieta House’s recent expansion into counties Cork, Galway and Kerry.

Registration for Darkness into Light with Electric Ireland is available online now at dil.pieta.ie.

About Pieta House

Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006 by psychologist Joan Freeman. With nine centres throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional, one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or a psychiatric report is not required and the service is completely free of charge. To date, Pieta House has supported more than 12,000 people, with almost 4,000 of those seeking help in 2013. Pieta House’s vision is to have a centre within 100 kilometres of everyone in Ireland. For further information, visit www.pieta.ie.

About Electric Ireland

Electric Ireland is the retail supply business of ESB, supplying energy to both residential and business customers nationwide. Electric Ireland also provides a range of energy services including Climote, attic insulation and energy efficiency services.

About ESB Electric Aid

ESB Electric Aid Ireland was launched in July 2005, continuing ESB’s proactive and caring tradition of assisting those in need. Our staff voted to select two areas of social need from the many worthy causes in Irish society which are suicide and homelessness. ESB Electric Aid Ireland deepens our traditional approach to funding good causes by seeking to make a focused impact on these two areas.

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